Indeed, such consideration is overdue by two or three years. In fact, yours truly has voted for Kopitar as a finalist for the Selke Trophy (voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association) in each of the last three seasons.

FROZEN ROYALTY EXCLUSIVE: As this series featuring the long-time broadcasters of the Los Angeles Kings continues, like everyone else, they marveled at how forwards Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, and Anze Kopitar raised their level of play during the Kings’ 2012 run to the Stanley Cup. Part nine of a series.

LA Kings center Anze Kopitar, shown here during the on-ice celebration at
Staples Center, after the Kings won their first Stanley Cup
Championship on June 11, 2012.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: Gann Matsuda/FrozenRoyalty.net

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — As the Los Angeles Kings blew through the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 16-4 record, winning the first Stanley Cup Championship in the 45-year history of the franchise, many pointed to the fact that they got contributions from everyone in the lineup as a key factor in their success.

That the Kings got those contributions from every player, all the way through their lineup, was significant, without a doubt. However, no team can win the Stanley Cup unless their best players are just that, in every game.

The Los Angeles Kings need much more from defenseman Drew Doughty if
they are to stop chasing the game and, as expected, become one
of the best teams in the National Hockey League.
Photo: David Sheehan

In the more important Western Conference standings, which determine playoff seedings, the Kings are in eighth place, and would qualify for post-season play if the playoffs were to start today. Further, they find themselves just two points out of third place, and four points behind the conference-leading Minnesota Wild. Read more of this post

Anze Kopitar (right) and Justin Williams (left) led the way among Los Angeles Kings’ forwards this season.
Photo: David Sheehan

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings suffered an earlier than desired exit from the 2010-11 season, when they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the San Jose Sharks, who won the series 4-2.

To be sure, another first round exit from the post-season party was not what the Kings had in mind this year, as expectations, both their own and just about everyone else’s, was for them to at least advance to the second round.

Although they faced extenuating circumstances that affected their ability to enjoy post-season success, namely, the loss of leading scorer and top defensive forward Anze Kopitar to a devastating ankle injury in late March, the Kings showed that if they had the discipline to adhere to their system and structure, they could have won that series, advancing to the Western Conference Semi Finals. Given that, it doesn’t matter how you slice it. The fact remains that the Kings did not meet expectations for the 2010-11 season. Read more of this post

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